The 11 best press-on nails based on actual testing

Pros: Large range of nail sizes, affordable, long lasting 

Cons: Not a totally seamless fit at the cuticle

When it comes to the best press on nails, Olive & June takes the prize for longevity and size inclusivity. They offer a whopping 41 nails in 21 sizes, the largest range on the market by a longshot. These nails are incredibly thick and durable, had no chipping, and stayed put for 18 days — the longest amount of time press ons have ever lasted on me. They did start to lift a bit at the cuticle after about a week; they still looked just as good, but I found my hair sometimes getting caught in them when I ran my fingers through it. Olive & June also boasts an affordable price range, with many sets costing around $10.

Pros: Natural-looking, large assortment of nails/sizes

Cons: Higher price point, some chipping

Glamnetic has the best press on nails for a natural, comfortable fit. They fit so well at the cuticle and application process is seamless. Glamnetic also has great assortment of designs and offers shorter lengths. I found this set to be very durable and lasted a full two weeks with no lifting, though there was some chipping of the polish after about a week.

Pros: Trendy designs, comfortable fit

Cons: Higher price point, some lifting

Thanks to the eye-catching designs, these are the best press on nails to wear if you want to receive tons of compliments. Chillhouse press ons strike the perfect balance between being trendy and fun while still being wearable enough for everyday. This particular set is also shorter in length so they are a great option for those who don't like the feeling of wearing long nails. While these nails did last me 10 days, they're not the most durable set I've worn. I experienced some lifting/cracking around the cuticle of one nail around the 7 day mark, but it never fully lifted or fell off.

Pros: Inexpensive, available at the drugstore, durable

Cons: Some bubbling

These nails fit very seamlessly at the cuticle, making them look extremely natural and feel comfortable. I also appreciate the thickness and durability of these nails. I didn't experiencing any chipping or lifting throughout the 7 days I wore them. They really do feel and perform like acrylic nails. Because this particular design is sheer, I did notice some slight bubbling of the glue underneath (the packaging claims "no bubbling"), but that could have been due to my application technique or the ridges/uneven texture on my nails.

Pros: Natural-looking, lightweight

Cons: Not long-lasting, limited shape/design options

These nails are so comfortable and lightweight. They're also incredibly natural-looking; I had one friend even mistake them for my real nails. Founded in 2020, Mani Muse is a newer brand, so they have a more limited selection of designs and currently only offer round and almond shaped nails. They only lasted a few days on me, but I would still repurchase them as they look so natural and are a great option if you need a quick manicure for an event.

Pros: Lots of variety in shapes, designs, and crystals

Cons: Certain styles may discolor

The Aria is a short, matte, square white mani with a sparkly accent nail of Swarovski crystals, which make them perfect for summer, but I noticed that over time the white nails became discolored to a light brown. So while you may want to skip the Aria style, in my opinion, Marmalade has some of the most creative and dramatic styles out there (I've got my eye on Mosaic and Ice Queen). I also like the light pink nail glue which makes it easier to gauge how much glue you're applying. That said, the glue did feel stronger than most and I damaged one of my natural nails when removing the press-ons, so take caution.

Pros: Great for french manicures and unfussy designs

Cons: Instructions a little misleading

Static Nails are reusable pop-on manicures in five shapes: round, coffin, square, almond, stiletto and known for their approachable styles in solid colors, and multi-colored french manis. Static also comes with light pink glue which was helpful, but I thought the directions called for entirely too much nail glue. I followed the directions which say to apply a thin layer of glue to the back of the Static Nail then a "generous" layer of glue to the natural nail, but I personally ended up with glue all over the place and on the top of the nail which damaged it. 

Pros: Lots of fun designs, mostly water-resistant 

Cons: May not last as long as others

Clutch Nails styles are so fun, there's really no other way to describe them. Expect bright colors, designs and prints (checker, flames and stars, etc.), holiday themes, and varying lengths. I have to admit that when I tested these nails, I spent nearly all day at the pool about an hour after applying them but they held on really well in so much water. These came with light pink nail glue as well, which I've non-scientifically decided is stronger than the clear glue, so I assume they would have lasted longer had I not been in the pool all day. 

Pros: Super easy to apply, lots of options for short manicures

Cons: Adhesive system doesn't last as long as glue

Impress nails don't come with glue, so these are perfect for the person who is new to press-on nails and scared of commitment. The pressure-sensitive adhesive is already attached to the nail which makes them super easy to apply, and I found that the Impress adhesive is much stronger than the adhesives that come with brands that offer glue as well. Also, I noticed Impress has a wider variety of designs for short nail manicures.

Pros: Big selection of shapes and designs, thicker than other brands

Cons: Some reviewers say that they run small

The Nailest has the largest variety of nails of all the brands I tested. Of their instant acrylic sets (read-to-ship) they have pretty much any shape, length, color, and finish you can imagine, and they also offer handcrafted sets painted with at least 5 layers of gel polish. They're thicker quality and way sturdier than most press-on nails. As with other brands, I'd recommend not following the directions to apply glue on both the faux nail and the natural nail because it results in excess glue which makes the nails get messy/sticky.

After perusing both my local drugstore and Instagram, I tested nine different brands of nails and chose the "best" set based on how long they lasted. Here are a few other boundaries I applied with each test: